A circuit from Sandside on the Kent estuary taking in Arnside Knott, Silverdale, Gaits Barrow Nature Reserve & the Fairy Steps. 13.5miles 1650ft

Parking on the seafront at low tide on the Kent estuary

A disused railway line makes an excellent path round to Arnside here in the early sunshine

Looking back up the estuary 

The path leads to a crossing at Arnside station.... 

....with an execllent view of the Arnside viaduct

Grange over Sands can be seen from Arnside seafront

Starting the climb up Arnside Knott with snow on the eastern Lakeland fells

Arnside Knott summit only 522ft but with some lovely views....

.....Grange over Sands again

....Far Arnside

Far Arnside caravan park

After descending the Knott I continued here to Silverdale seafront....

....before walking into the village

St John's church

The crocuses were bursting into bloom

After leaving the village the traffic light was green for me to cross!! (I've never seen one of these before)

My path continued to Gaits Barrow nature reserve....

....with an unusal viewing hide....

.....here it is

I sat down nearby and shared my lunch with this robin....

....whilst looking into the reserve

Resuming the walk the field paths had plenty of newborn lambs on the way to....

.....the Fairy Steps on Beetham fell

....it's rather a tight squeeze to the top

Leaving Beetham fell, I descended to Storth and Sandside village centre....

....and finally back to my car on the seafront.

A really lovely walk on a lovely day with lots of interest.

A circuit of Coniston Old Man 

from  Torver via Goats water & returning by Little Arrow Moor, and the Coniston disused railway line path 10miles 2650ft

Heading north from Torver towards the south ridge of 'The old Man' with Dow Crag behind

It wasn't long before the sun appeared in the east over Monk Coniston Moor 

Arriving at the Snow Line

Continuing the climb to Goats water with Dow Crag rising to the left

Zooming in on Easy Gully (R) & South Rake (L)

Climbing away from the tarn....

.....to Goats Hause, the col between Dow Crag & Coniston old Man

Arriving on the broad summit ridge with 360 degree views of fantastic winter scenery including Brim fell along the ridge to the left & Swirl How to the right....

.....Coniston old Man summit a short walk behind me...

.....also Scafell & Scafell pike with Great Gable & 

Great End

Looking down on Low water with Levers water below & Wetherlam behind

Coniston old Man summit trig point....

.....with a view down to Coniston village and lake

The Old Man's summit 2635ft....

.....and the village again

Now on the descent looking south to Morecambe bay

....and the Eastern fells on the horizon

I passed through the grounds of Sacred Heart church Coniston....

.....where I joined the disused railway line path back to Torver

Finally the bridge near the place where I'd parked just outside Torver 

A fantastic day's walking back in my routine of weekly walks. There had been no wind on the summit making it a pleasant place to sit and enjoy the panoramic views  

Unfortuately no walk last week  due to family commitments. 

I managed a local walk today from home to Preston city centre via the docks and river Ribble. Hopefully normal service we be resumed later this week!

Preston dock's marina is just a short walk from home

....and again

Looking towards the city centre from the swing bridge entrance to the dock

Zooming in on St Walburge's church which has the tallest spire 309ft on a parish church in England

Leaving the dock I joined the Guild Way cycle path following the river Ribble

The docks was once served by a commercial railway link to the main line at Preston station. The link still exists and is now a heritage steam railway service

The Guild way passes through Miller Park with the old County Hotel (now an empty building) overlooking the park

....and again with the bandstand

This is the new "Old Tram Bridge" the original of which was badly damaged in flood waters and had to be demolished

The new one is due to open later this year

....and again from....

Avenham Colonade entrance to Avenham park where...

....there are two Sebastopol cannons brought here after the Crimean war, guarding this entrance to Preston City centre, from where I continued my walk back home.

Not quite the Lakes or Dales but at least a chance for some fresh air and exercise!

Watch this space for normal service to resume soon!